RealClearSports: Raiders New GM Proclaims 'New Era'

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By Art Spander
For RealClearSports.com

OAKLAND – The little analysis of Hue Jackson by Al Davis is right there in the Oakland Raiders media guide. “The fire in Hue,’’ said Davis, “will set a flame that will burn for a long time in the hearts and minds of the Raider football team and Raider nation.’’

It was snuffed out, however, by Al’s son, Mark, who took over the team upon Al’s death.

On Tuesday, Mark Davis hired Reggie McKenzie from the Green Bay Packers as general manager, the position Al held de facto for decades.

Read the full story here.

© RealClearSports 2012

SF Examiner: It all comes down to one game for the Oakland Raiders

in ,
By Art Spander
Special to The Examiner

Oh, those Raiders. So many penalties. “After the flags, guys come up to me on the sidelines, and say, that’s what happens when you play for the Raiders,”  mused quarterback Carson Palmer.

Oh those Raiders, blown out by Green Bay, giving up a late lead to Detroit, ranked fourth-worst in the NFL in total defense.

Oh those Raiders...

Read the full story here.

Copyright 2011 SF Newspaper Company

SF Examiner: When big plays are needed, Raiders are unable to deliver

in ,
By Art Spander
Special to The Examiner

The Raiders had the game, and then they didn’t.

“We let it slip,” Raiders safety Tyvon Branch said.

They had the game, then the Detroit Lions had it.

“We can’t finish,” said Oakland coach Hue Jackson. “To say I’m disappointed is an understatement.”


Copyright 2011 SF Newspaper Company

SF Examiner: Jackson creates winning culture with the Raiders

in ,
By Art Spander
Special to The Examiner

The blend is unusual in pro football, excitement and candor. Hue Jackson doesn’t stop believing. Or demanding.

When you wait half a lifetime to become a head coach, you look at things differently, and even when the score is wrong, approvingly.

Jackson isn’t the only reason the Raiders have moved out of the darkness...

Read the full story here.

Copyright 2011 SF Newspaper Company

RealClearSports: Raiders Audacious, Resilient, Winning

in ,
By Art Spander
For RealClearSports.com

OAKLAND, Calif. - Something's happening here on the east shore of San Francisco Bay. Something strange, something emotional, something that has brought together an audacious coach, resilient players and an relenting belief in the spirit of a man whose basic concept of sport as in life could be reduced to three words: "Just win, baby."

Just win. Al Davis said that a thousand times.

Read the full story here.

Copyright 2011 RealClearSports

RealClearSports: Should Raiders Be Taken Seriously?

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By Art Spander
For RealClearSports.com

OAKLAND, Calif. — Echoes of the past are reverberating. Like a 4.5 Richter Scale reading on the Hayward Fault, which runs along the hills not far from the O.co Coliseum, there is a rumbling large enough to create interest but not quite large enough to create concern.



What to think of the Raiders, where Al Davis seemingly has done what was needed after years of hiring coaches and firing coaches and trying virtually every living soul at quarterback?

Read the full story here.

© RealClearSports 2011

RealClearSports: Will Jackson's Enthusiasm Win for Raiders?

in ,
By Art Spander
For RealClearSports.com

NAPA, Calif. — He is behind a temporary podium facing the setting sun. Not a comfortable position for Hue Jackson, but neither is his new job, head coach of the Oakland Raiders, the franchise that used to be.

America knows this city and valley, some 40 miles north of San Francisco. The country's wine capital. Grapes not of wrath but of potency and fame.

America knew the Raiders as the demons of the NFL. "The autumn wind is a Raider, pillaging just for fun ..."

Read the full story here.

© RealClearSports 2011

SF Examiner: Quarterback questions loom for Bay Area football teams

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By Art Spander
Special to The Examiner

Yes, as Jim Harbaugh pointed out, we love talking about the quarterback position. Why wouldn’t we? Arguably, it’s the most important in any team sport. It’s the position that wins games. Or loses them.

We know quarterbacks. We’ve watched Joe Montana and Steve Young and Jim Plunkett. What we don’t know, after six seasons, is whether Alex Smith...

Read the full story here.

Copyright 2011 SF Newspaper Company

SF Examiner: New 49ers, Raiders leaders have their work cut out

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By Art Spander
Special to The Examiner

New coaches and old stadiums. The Black Hole and holes to fill. Pro football is back by the Bay — dare we say welcome? — and now that the talk has shifted from lockouts to wideouts, the major questions are whether there will be a last hurrah for Al Davis and the Raiders and a first hurrah for Jed York and the 49ers.


Copyright 2011 SF Newspaper Company

RealClearSports: Big One hits Bay Area football

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By Art Spander
For RealClearSports.com

SAN FRANCISCO -- It was a 7.1. Not on the Richter scale, on the Goodell scale. The San Andreas and Hayward faults were silent. The football fault lines opened.

At Instability Central, it isn't only the land that moves, it's the people.

Read the full story here.

© RealClearSports 2011